VIII. POVERTY REDUCTION THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Mr Speaker,

• The essence of an existing and up-to-date infrastructure for trade, industrial expansion and growth – the fundamental basis of our Vision, cannot be overemphasised. It is for this, that we labour to expand our infrastructure base as well as maintain and upgrade the existing facilities.

i. Energy

• Government continues to restructure the energy sector with the objective of providing efficient, reliable and affordable energy services to the population. A draft national energy policy has recently been developed and is currently being reviewed by government. This is intended to drive programme formulation in the sector to attract investment and improve service provision.

• Last year we lamented the situation of our energy sector – specifically the supply of electricity, which was characterised by intermittent and insufficient supply. The total available generating capacity at Kotu Power Station was 23 MW. Today, the Station has a generating capacity of 41 MW, following an Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contract agreement with a consortium of firms. In this respect, the August Assembly should be informed that the increase in power output is due to the addition of three new generators, the acquisition of which was facilitated by HE the President.

• The increased generating capacity has engendered the need for network expansion and rehabilitation in order to make power available to its consumers. To this end, the Government will embark on a major project to strengthen the transmission and distribution systems during the course of 2002. This project will ensure reliability of supply to existing customers while expanding the transmission and distribution network.

• In the last budget speech, we reported on plans to embark on a rural electrification programme. The project consists of 6 new power stations situated at Barra, Kerewan, Farafenni, Kaur, Bansang and Basse. These will serve as the basis for the development of a national grid. A full-scale implementation of this most important project will begin in 2002. As programmed by 2003/2004, 46 rural towns and villages will have access to electricity on a 24-hour basis.

• The Government continues to place emphasis on alternative and renewable sources of energy. The electrification of the rural areas is not confined to conventional electricity only. Government is studying a proposal for the installation of 5000 solar home systems from Spanish Company.

• Consumption of fuel wood with its negative impact on the environment has always been a concern to Government. As a consequence, a multi-dimensional approach is being developed in consultation with national, regional, bilateral and multilateral agencies to address the issue of domestic and alternative energy supply.

ii. Civil Works

Mr Speaker, Sir,

• In pursuit of the laudable objectives embodied in Vision 2020, the Government has been relentless in its efforts to initiate and adopt far-reaching policies in the Transport, Communication and Information sectors.

• For the road sub-sector, the required steps have been taken to ensure the setting up of the Highway Maintenance Authority in early 2002 that will ensure the availability of sufficient and reliable sources of funds for efficient road maintenance. The Government accords high priority to the Transport sector since the development of this sector enhances economic growth, social progress and poverty reduction.

• The period over the last 12 months has witnessed considerable progress in the road sub sector where emphasis is mainly on the rehabilitation, extension and maintenance of existing road infrastructure. The Essau to Kerewan road and the Kerewan Bridge have now been completed whilst the Kombo Coastal roads Project is soon to be completed. The studies for the rehabilitation of the Farafenni to Laminkoto road have also been completed and funding has been secured from the Kuwaiti Fund.

• The reconstruction of the Sere-kunda Mandinaba road is now fully underway. The project as you may know, will upgrade 12km of the section between Westfield and Banjul International Airport to a dual carriageway and a single carriageway from there to Mandinaba. Currently arrangements are at an advanced stage for the construction of the Mandinaba to Soma road to keep the stretch usable.

• The reconstruction of the Badala Parkway incorporating streetlights has already commenced to mitigate the high volume of traffic in sere-kunda originating from Banjul and heading towards the airport and beyond. The road will be extended from the Shell Station on Kairaba Avenue to intersect the Banjul Serrekunda Highway at Stink Corner.

• As we foster decentralization of development, the Basse to Fatoto and Basse to Yorobawol roads have been regravelled and the bush track from Fatoto to Koina, raised to a gravel standard. The Bridge linking Basse to the Ferry crossing over to Wuli have also been reconstructed through EU Funding.

iii. Transportation

Mr Speaker,

• Our drive to provide a nationwide and uninterrupted transport service through the GPTC was seriously constrained by such developments, as the increase in the price of fuel (in March) and the cost of spare parts due to escalating foreign exchange rates. The above were exacerbated further by poor road conditions particularly on the provincial routes.

• Notwithstanding the above constraints, the GPTC continues to execute its mandate based on the commercial expediency of routes. The recent opening of the new Kombo Coastal road provides new opportunities for the corporation to penetrate into the Kombos. The corporation has already re-introduced the Banjul/Kartong service with effect from 8^th July 2001.

• Since last year, government negotiated four Bilateral Air Transport Agreements, three of which: - with the United States of America, Namibia, and Burkina Fasso, were concluded and signed. This has led to a milestone development witnessed through the commencement of direct weekly flight services to Baltimore and Washington D.C in the United States in May of this year. This was facilitated by a joint operation agreement between Gambia International Airlines (GIA) and Ghana Airways. Government has also, in the last 12 months ratified various important air law protocols and conventions that seek to strengthen our local air transport industry and bring it in conformity with global trends.

• Expanding and upgrading facilities at Banjul International Airport has entered its second phase following successful completion of the New Passenger Terminal and Control Tower Project. Next year, the works to commence at the airport include a dual carriage airport access road, expansion of the parking apron and rehabilitation of the runway. The first lot of these works is expected to complete in the next eight months.

• On the sea transport front, the Gambia Ports Authority has implemented a series of modernisation projects including the construction of a passenger terminal with an area of 292.9 sq meters, for improving both the capacity and service delivery medium of the authority. Funded jointly by the Gambia government and ADB, this passenger terminal facility includes offices and waiting facilities for passengers as well as a luggage holding area and bus-parking bay.

• On River transport, we experienced a setback following the declaration of the sea unworthiness of the two ferries the Niumi and Banjul, leaving Barra as the only vessel plying the Banjul-Barra waterway. Government was however swift to react to this predicament and has now successfully put in place the funds to acquire a new ferry which is currently in dry dock under construction. Insha Allah by April 2002 a new ferry will be delivered to the Gambia people. Meanwhile Government has directed GPA to take over Ferry Services from the GPTC with effect from 1^st July 2001 under a caretaker management.

iv. Telecommunication

Mr Speaker, Sir,

• In order to keep abreast with the dynamic telecommunications environment, the much talked about GSM network was launched under a subsidiary company – Gamcel during the course of this year. The project cost over D100m and is expected to provide modern mobile telephone service to over 30,000 subscribers.

• Other areas of investment and achievements in 2001 include the construction of the TV building, cable and network expansion project to substantially reduce the waiting list in both urban and rural areas for enhanced subscriber connections. International circuit was increased from 480 to 660 to boost international connectivity and the new TDMA system established that provides access to basic telephone service for every village or town

• Internet connectivity has been given a boost by the increase in the Internet gateway bandwidth from 512 kilobits to 1-mega bits per second. Plans are underway to establish another mega bit to serve both as a supplement and a backup to the first one. An Internet awareness campaign was also embarked upon to increase the benefits of this medium to our people. There are also plans to lay a fibre cable from Fatoto to Farafenni, next year, for increased country coverage.

v. Postal Services

Mr Speaker,

• In our continued drive to improve and expand the range of services, the Post Office recently concluded and launched Western Union Money Transfer Service in partnership with the Continent Bank. This development is in line with government’s objective of fostering closer partnership with the private sector in the provision of essential services to the public. The service is accessible at Banjul, Soma and SereKunda Post Offices. Other postal outlets will soon join the network.

• The government is now in the final phase of transforming the Post Office to an autonomous entity and plans are underway to introduce a Courier Service Unit at the GPO. This will be dedicated to responding to time sensitive mails of the public and thenceforth, the Postal Service will assume a new business posture, in line with its commercial orientation and in readiness to providing quality service to its larger customer base.

vi. Maintenance Service Agency (MSA)

• The MSA has embarked on a diversification programme aimed at widening its product mix and customer base. The Company now produces steel doors, windows, burglar proofing, and also collects and sells scrap metals for export. There are plans for the company to embark on the sale of spare parts and lubricants, agricultural implements in partnership with Internal Private Investors.

• The Company also operates a Motoring School, which is providing first class lessons in driving aimed at reducing the incidence of road Traffic accidents. In the 2002 financial Year, MSA Co, Limited intends to intensify its diversification programme in an attempt to improve on its profitability and customer services delivery.

-end.